Orioles notebook

But after a three-hit, one-walk game last night that included two runs scored and his 36th stolen Orioles notebook

base, which tied him for the American League lead, Brady Anderson just shrugged off the statistics.

"I wasn't in a real bad slump or anything," Anderson said. "I didn't feel like I was down. I was getting my hits, and I wasn't swinging the bat that badly.

"Now I'm 10-for-40. That's not bad."

An amazing season continues for Anderson, who hasn't gone two consecutive games without a hit since May 22-23. In Orioles victories he has started, he is batting .332 with 52 runs scored and 22 stolen bases.

He has 35 multi-hit games.

"I didn't think I hit that well yesterday [Monday], but I blooped a few in tonight," he said.

Scoreboard watching

The Orioles agreed that they are keeping an eye on the scoreboard, particularly the progress of the Toronto Blue Jays.

"When it hits August and you're still in the race, sure you check the board," reliever Gregg Olson said.

Said Anderson: "I've been watching a lot lately. We've been asked about the pennant race so long, it's gotten to be a habit. Usually, it's just what Toronto does, but Milwaukee, too, when they inched up close."

"It's never too early to glance at the board," said Mike Devereaux. "Even if it's the first month, you take a look."

Look to 'The Sun' for scoring

Monday night marked the debut of a wrinkle on the Oriole Park scoreboard -- an advertisement that doubles as an official scorer's helper.

Since the new ballpark opened, "The Sun" sign has been outfitted with bands of neon lights. Recently, extra electrical work was completed on the "H" and "E" so the 6-foot letters flash brightly for several seconds after the official scorer rules a hit or error.

The scoreboard touch is an example of efforts by Orioles officials to link Camden Yards to baseball traditions.

Ebbets Field, a classic baseball park, used a similar billboard trick to convey scorer's decisions.

Players hear about AIDS

Mark Belanger of the Major League Baseball Players Association had a pre-game meeting with the Orioles. The topic was AIDS.

"He was making sure we had all the bases covered. It was routine," pitcher Storm Davis said.

Still waiting on Hulett

Manager Johnny Oates said he will play it by ear on the re-activation of Tim Hulett, who began working out with the team again Monday.

"This is only his second day," Oates said. "We'll see how he's getting around on pitches and go from there."